Internet linked environment data collection system and method

ABSTRACT

An environmental data collection system and method is provided having an internet link for providing an additional level of security for a remotely controlled data collection platform having a security alarm for protecting the platform and the environmental subject of the study. A novel lighter-than-air platform having a novel snorkel for detachably securing, mooring and providing buoyancy control is provided for the collection of data in the form of real time audio and video linked to the internet and subscribers. The novel snorkel is flexible and retractable into the novel airship to provide remote buoyancy control of the airship together with silently operating electrical motors for allowing the novel airship to be remotely controlled and moved at will to track and monitor wildlife and make environmental measurements necessary for the protection of the environment, wildlife and the operation of the novel airship. Detachable securing means provide an anti-tethering feature of the novel airship and allow the collection of data from both, an aerial perspective and a ground perspective, while providing for the collection of data from either the surface of the earth or below the surface of the water while transmitting the data to scientists, environmentalists and subscribers through the internet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention pertains to an environmental monitoring systemutilizing a novel lighter-than-air aircraft having observation camerasand a water ballonet and snorkel system to provide a low altitudeenvironmental observation platform with a security system. Moreparticularly the invention pertains to an electrically poweredlighter-than-air aircraft capable of silently hovering at low altitudesof about 5 meters (16.4 feet) to 1,500 (4,921 feet) and moving oncommand from one area to another to observe and track plant and animallife while providing security to the subject of the study and the novellighter-than-air aircraft by providing an internet link to concernedsubscribers and to local officials and observers.

[0003] The novel lighter-than-air aircraft includes a novel buoyancycontrol system for safely maintaining an untethered or detachablysecured lighter-than-air aircraft in close proximity to the ground andfor protecting the remote-controlled lighter-than-air airship from localweather conditions. The novel buoyancy control system includes a waterballonet in combination with a snorkel for not only controlling buoyancybut also for temporarily mooring or securing the novel low altitudelighter-than-air airship directly on the surface of a body of waterlarger than the airship to prevent damage to the lighter-than-airairship.

[0004] The novel lighter-than-air airship includes an anti-tetheringcamera connected to the airship with an anti-tethering cable for makingsurface and underwater observations. A second anti-tethering camera mayalso be attached to the end of the novel snorkel for making underwaterobservations in the vicinity of the snorkel. Both cameras for contactingthe surface of the earth as well as cameras mounted in the novellighter-than-air airship may be used to provide real time data andobservations for an environment or ecosystem under study.

[0005] The novel lighter-than-air airship provides a dynamic study ofthe environment or an ecosystem by allowing an ‘on the fly’ definitionand redefinition of the subject of the study. This ‘on the fly’ abilityis a result of the ability of the novel lighter-than-air airship tosilently hover for long periods of time at a particular location andalso its ability to move with the herd or to other areas at the will ofthe scientists or remote observers without disturbing the wildlife whileproviding data and information simultaneously from both a ground and anaerial perspective.

[0006] The novel system and method of the invention also provides asecurity system for the environment by providing an early warning ofpoachers or other agents or deleterious factors on the environment byutilizing security cameras tied to the internet and local officialsresponsible for monitoring the environment. The data provided not onlyallows an instantaneous warning of immediate danger to the environmentto a local monitoring station and to concerned groups through theinternet but also long term data on trends and problems through a longerterm analysis provided by a master monitoring station. The local andmaster monitoring stations can also include bidirectional communicationslinks to allow interested local and remote observers to control camerasand move the novel lighter-than-air airship to track other problems orinfluences upon the studied environment or ecosystem.

[0007] 2. Description of the Related Art Including Information DisclosedUnder 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

[0008] Current technology available for monitoring and surveying anecosystem, habitat or animal group consists of satellites, airplanes andground observation. Satellite technology is not only expensive but atfrom about 1,400 km (868 mi) to 36,000 km (22,320 mi) above the earthsatellites provide only an overall image of large ecosystems such as theBrazilian rain forest or the African savannah. Geostationary satellitesare too far away to provide detailed images of smaller areas of interestsuch as a lion pride or poaching area.

[0009] Medium and Low Earth Orbit (MEO & LEO) satellites orbit closer tothe earth and hence can provide more detailed images but they cannotprovide continuous coverage because they are constantly circling theearth and only pass over a particular area of interest several times aday. Further, clouds and the heavy moisture content of the air aboverain forests obscure the view of even high-resolution sensors byscattering their signals. Further, satellites are a shared resource. Thetechnology is currently too expensive and sophisticated to bespecifically configured, or deployed, to monitor just one area ofinterest.

[0010] Airplanes fly closer to the subject of interest and thus providemore detailed images but the noise from their engines disturbs theanimals and their exhaust pollutes the environment. An airplane could bededicated to monitor a specific area of interest but not for 24 hours aday because they have to return to their base to refuel and changecrews. Further airplanes suffer the disadvantage of having to constantlymove and cannot hover to monitor an area of interest. Use of airplanesor even a helicopter to monitor an area of interest would be very costlyproposition, especially in the remote areas of the world where most ofthe ecosystems or habitats of interest are.

[0011] Ground observations, performed by scientists and volunteers,currently provides the most detailed data and images available, but itis impractical and expensive to devote large numbers of trainedpersonnel to monitor specific areas of interest over long periods oftime. Ground observations are also limited by the inability to obtain abird's eye view of the entire ecosystem and to define and redefine thearea of study based upon a multi-point relational vantage point as canbe accomplished by an airship that allows hovering over areas forextended periods of days and weeks but also allows periodic movementwhen desired as provided by remote-control and without the interventionof humans into the habitat. Further some ecosystems and subjects such asa rain forest canopy or lion pride are difficult and dangerous forpeople to monitor continuously over extended periods and others, such asa family of gorillas, may be affected by human observers.

[0012] Prior art ground surveillance and monitoring systems includeBrogi, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,335 and Thompson U.S. Pat. No.5,517,201. In Brogi, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,335 a forest firesurveillance and monitoring system having cameras and sensors aremounted on a moveable platform that allows movement over a range ofpositions covering 360 azimuthal degrees. In Thompson U.S. Pat. No.5,517,201 a plurality of monitors are distributed throughout a wildlifehabitat for providing information as to the location, date and time ofthe detection of wild game in the surveillance area.

[0013] Thompson U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,201 and Brogi, et al. U.S. Pat. No.5,734,355 do not utilize a lighter-than-air platform or atelecommunications link to the internet to protect the environment orwildlife. Further such prior art systems do not employ platforms thatare moved through the environment by remote control and provide for thestudy of the environment simultaneously from the ground and from anelevated platform to provide a bird's eye view of the entire area.Further such prior art does not provide for an ‘on the fly’ perspectiveof the environment to allow the redefinition of the environment as dataand new relationships between the wildlife and the environment aremanifested in the course of data collection.

[0014] Recently much attention has focused on the panda wildlifepopulation. It has been recently learned from studies that logging andloss of forest connecting areas between isolated groups of pandas havereduced the dwindling reclusive panda population. This data from groundbased studies might have been appreciated earlier utilizing the methodand system of the invention where data from both the ground and the airare simultaneously collected. Further the method and system of theinvention allows not only the collection of data for prolonged periodsfrom one spot, but also allows the novel lighter-than-air platform tomove with the wildlife without human intervention or the necessity ofmoving blinds or camouflaged cameras and surveillance equipment. Thenovel method and system of the invention in providing mobility and datafrom both the ground and the air provides for the flexibility ofrecognizing and assessing new environmental relationships and mobilityto study the new environmental factors.

[0015] A number of surveillance lighter-than-air platforms have beenprovided in the prior art for surveillance and observation of endangeredforest fire areas and coasts. In Knaupp, et al. Solar Powered AirshipOct. 5, 1993 an airship with video camera utilizing an electric motorfor propulsion is provided having two ballonets for buoyancy control. InWurst, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,205 a separate water gondola isprovided in a high altitude platform and in Peterson U.S. Pat. No.5,115,997 a tethered surveillance airship is disclosed. None of theknown prior art provides a lighter-than-air platform having a waterballonet in combination with a snorkel for providing buoyancy control.

[0016] In the course of the extensive research conducted leading to theinvention it was discovered that a tethered airship presented numerousproblems at the low altitudes of less than 25 meters (82 feet) due tothe tendency of the airship in wind to nose dive into the ground unlesssupported by a ground mooring pole. To solve this problem the inventionemploys an untethered airship designed to continually fly in ageostationary position with detachable securing means such as a snorkeland a breakaway anchor along with anti-tethering ground cables tosupport cameras and ground equipment.

[0017] The novel lighter-than-air platform employs one or more electricengines with propellers for silent operation, solar cells and battery orfuel cell for power, a security system and a water ballonet and snorkelcombination for providing for safely securing the novel lighter-than-airplatform over large ponds, lakes or other areas of water. NeitherKnaupp, et al., Wurst, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,205, Peterson U.S.Pat. No. 5,115,997 nor any of the other known prior art provides asnorkel water ballonet combination for controlling buoyancy andproviding for the temporary anchorage of a lighter-than-air platform.

[0018] As will be recognized snorkels have been widely used to acquireair for submarines but have not been used to anchor or acquire water forbuoyancy control for lighter-than-air airships. One of the more recentsubmarine snorkel references is Ferguson, et al. U.S. Pat. No.4,611,551. U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,551 does not teach or suggest the novelairship snorkel combination of the invention.

[0019] Crompton U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,945,589 and U.S. Pat. No. Re 30,129pertain to a lighter-than-air airship with a water ballonet and waterscoops and wheels for providing an amphibious dirigible airship.Crompton U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,945,589 and U.S. Pat. No. Re 30,129 do notteach or suggest the use of a snorkel for allowing the airship to hoverabove water and maintain buoyancy control by drawing a column of waterinto the snorkel or providing for a smaller diameter snorkel within asnorkel to not only allow the airship to maintain an observationposition above the water but also to allow the transfer of a portion ofwater through the smaller diameter snorkel within the snorkel into thewater ballonet for reacquiring ballast and providing for buoyancycontrol. Further none of the prior art teaches or suggests the remotecontrol of the airship and the remote control of buoyancy at lowaltitudes.

[0020] None of the known prior art provides a security system connectedto the internet or provides for the combination of hovering and mobilityfor studying the environment. None of the known prior art provides forthe flexibility of both aerial and ground based observation coupled withthe ability to remotely control and move the observation platform andcameras as needed during the collection of data. None of the known priorart provides for the multi level of collection of data and the abilityto redefine the environmental area of study as data and causal datalinks and information becomes available.

[0021] Unlike the prior art the invention pertains to an integratedsystem which links together via wireless communications any environment,ecosystem, habitat, or animal group with interested parties who wish toobserve, monitor or study the particular ecosystem, habitat or animalgroup from not only the ground but also an aerial or top plan view toobtain a more complete understanding of the environment and its relatedlinks.

[0022] The interested parties may be scientists, environmentalists,children or any other person with an interest in the particularecosystem, habitat, or animal group and hereinafter they will bereferred to as subscribers. The subscribers not only obtain data fromthe wildlife or environment under study but also become part of thestudy and part of the security system for protecting the study. As partof the study, the subscribers are at times given access to control thecameras and provide input as to the scope of the study. As part of thesecurity system the subscribers are linked by the internet to the studyin a real time communications link to assist in preventing damage to thelighter-than-air observation platform and to a particular ecosystemunder study.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The invention provides a system and method for the study of theenvironment by subscribers linked together through the internet toprovide a security system for protecting the environment. The system andmethod of the invention provides data from both the surface of the earthand from an aerial perspective to not only assist in providing datarelated to the study but also to assist in identifying and includingfactors outside the study that may have profound impacts upon the study.These advantages are achieved by not only utilizing the internet butalso an observation platform that is remotely controlled and remotelymoved when necessary to track, observe and when necessary to redefineboundaries of the ecosystem.

[0024] The advantages of the invention are provided by an untethered andpreferably unmanned lighter-than-air airship having one or more electricengines with propellers for silent operation and solar cells forconverting solar energy into electrical energy and one or more batteriesor fuel cells for providing electrical energy. The novellighter-than-air airship is preferably remotely controlled and includesa security system for protecting the lighter-than-air platform and forprotecting the wildlife being studied. The security system alsopreferably includes cameras and telecommunications links to the internetto assist in maintaining the system and the wildlife studied free fromunauthorized intrusion.

[0025] In the best mode the invention includes a novel lighter-than-airairship having a buoyancy control system utilizing a water ballonet anda retractable snorkel for adding water to the water ballonet andproviding for the temporary anchorage of the novel lighter-than-airairship over large ponds, lakes or bodies of water. The novelretractable snorkel not only allows the novel airship to maintain anobservation position above animal watering holes but also to provide forthe filling of the water ballonet to allow the novel airship to besecured on the surface of the water during storms to prevent the airshipfrom being lost by being blown away in severe storms or from being blowninto trees or rocks and being torn and destroyed on the ground.

[0026] The novel lighter-than-air airship snorkel and snorkel within asnorkel not only provides the ability to anchor the airship over waterin times of severe weather but also allows water to be transferred froma nearby lake, river, stream or ocean onto the novel airship forbuoyancy control. This buoyancy control can be remotely controlled andthe volume of the column of water in the large diameter snorkel reducedas the amount of water drawn in the small diameter snorkel and drawninto the water ballonet is increased. Once the volume of water necessaryfor projected buoyancy control is obtained based on projected localweather conditions the novel airship can be moved to track the studiedanimals from the watering location to other areas of the ecosystem!

[0027] As the day progresses water may be released from the waterballonet to maintain neutral buoyancy after the hottest part of the day.During late afternoon and evening hours most if not all of the water inthe water ballonet is released as the day cools into night and ballastis no longer required. In the morning the novel airship can follow theanimals to the watering location to again reacquire sufficient ballastfor the next day to accommodate the heating of the day so as to preventundue energy from being expended in maintaining the airship at apredetermined altitude by operating the electrical engines.

[0028] The novel lighter-than-air aircraft may include an underwatercamera at the end of the snorkel for not only observing aquatic wildlifesuch as whales and dolphins but also to provide depth data of the lakeor pond to prevent the bottom of the snorkel from being entangled withdebris at the bottom of the lake or pond. This underwater camera at theend of the snorkel may also be detachable from the snorkel and includeremote control for moving the camera underwater. The underwater cameramay also include an anti-tethering cable for separating the camera fromthe cable if the cable becomes tangled in debris. Similarly a secondcable deployable camera aboard the airship for providing data and videofrom the surface of dry land may include an anti-tethering cable as wellas a recovery system for recovering separated cameras sonic buoys oraudio listening devices such as hydrophones.

[0029] The cameras on the snorkel and on cable together with camerasdisposed on the novel lighter-than-air airship provide real timeobservation and data to subscribers who may be scientists,environmentalists or other interested parties desiring information anddata on a particular ecosystem habitat or group of animals. The realtime data collected by the novel lighter-than-air aircraft istransmitted through a wireless communications station to a local stationwhich may be a fixed ground station, mobile station or to a satellite.Preferably the real time data is transmitted to a local ground stationin the vicinity of the novel lighter-than-air aircraft which alsomaintains remote control operation over the novel lighter-than-airaircraft. In cases where a local ground station is not practical remotecontrol of the novel airship may be controlled by satellite.

[0030] In the best mode of the invention the system includes an internetconnection to subscribers and a master control station disposed betweenthe local station and the internet connection. The function of themaster station is to collect and compact real time continuouslycollected data into shorter viewable segments that highlight significantevents over a shorter viewing period. The master control stationoperates on a substantially real time mode so that internet linksbetween the subscriber and the master control station can be used tochange camera vantage points and position of the novel lighter-than-airplatform substantially contemporaneously with the broadcast over theinternet taking into account the differences in time zones between thesubscriber and the location of the lighter-than-air platform.

[0031] The best mode of the invention also includes a security systemfor protecting the observation platform and the subject of the study.The security system and method of the invention in the best mode isconnected to the internet so that data obtained from a data acquisitionmeans such as security cameras can be used on a real time basis to alertlocal officials, park rangers and subscribers of poachers or otherdeleterious factors jeopardizing the study as well as the equipment usedto conduct the study.

[0032] In the preferred embodiment of the invention th followingcomponents are utilized:

[0033] I. A remote controlled Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) platform with dataacquisition means in the form of a video, audio and data collectionpayload that records real time, live video and audio of the subject andcollects physical and scientific measurement data of specific interestor importance to the subject environment such as temperature, rainfall,air or water pollution, habitat destruction, animal population orintruders as well as local weather important to the operation of theairship such as high and low temperature, hours of sunlight, barometricpressure, wind and other conditions bearing upon the operation of theLTA based upon actual and projected weather changes.

[0034] II. A wireless transmission system, which sends the video anddata from the LTA platform to either, a local station which ispreferably a local ground station in reasonable proximity of theplatform or to a satellite. The local station also operates to remotelycontrol the flight and operation of the remotely controlled LTA. Datatransmitted from the local station in the form of real time video andaudio are preferably sent to a master control station which assemblesthe data for transmission to secure websites on the internet.

[0035] III. Video, audio and data, once received by the satellite ormaster control station is stored, manipulated, categorized and indexedand transmitted to subscribers to enhance knowledge and interest in thesubject.

[0036] IV. The video and data on the secure website in one embodiment ofthe invention is made available to subscribers who by use of a passwordlog onto the website and have access to the live video and data as wellas the ability to control aerial cameras, ground cameras and possiblythe location of the LTA platform in conjunction with the master controlstation and the local station.

[0037] The LTA platform, cruising or hovering over an area of interestat an altitude of 5 to 1,500 meters, equipped with visible spectrum,infrared and multi-spectral video cameras with pan, tilt and zoomcapability fitted with telephoto and wide angle lenses along with a GPSand data monitoring equipment provides a complete surveillance and studysystem that allows the constant, near real-time viewing and datacollection of any ecosystem, habitat or animal population anywhere inthe world from the subscriber's personal computer by simply logging ontothe secure website.

[0038] The novel method and system is readily adaptable and can beremotely controlled and moved as necessary for scientific study,monitoring changes, protection of the ecosystem, habitat or animal, orfor the purpose of enhancing general interest in the subject. The novelsystem, unlike known systems, provides a stationary platform that canmove with the migratory patterns of the subject being studied and allowsthe continuous monitoring of the subject, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week,without human intrusion into the area of study. It is by continualmonitoring that a real understanding of an ecosystem, its condition andthe scope of factors that have an impact can be studied.

[0039] The LTA platform can optionally be equipped with a GlobalPositioning System, which will allow the subscriber to log onto thesystem, pull down a map of the exact location being viewed and track themovement of the subject animals or view exactly where the subject areais located in a given country. The map can also be used to trackmigratory routes and animal territorial patterns as they relate to theenvironment. Scientists and environmental experts generally accept thatchanges in one ecosystem probably have an effect on other ecosystems.The destruction of the rain forest probably impacts both contiguous anddistant ecosystems. Melting ice flows may impact vegetation or otherfactors in other ecosystems. As with the example of the panda many timesinfluences are subtle and need both an aerial and ground perspective aswell as mobility within a particular ecosystem for evaluation.

[0040] The use of the novel system to define or move between multipleecosystems while following and monitoring the subject of the ecosystemstudy as determined by scientists for the study provides a flexibilityin tracking, measuring and monitoring a predetermined set of data thatwould track the general health of the ecosystem and specific changes toa specified number of variables. This data would be collectedcontinuously over a long period of time and transmitted by the system tothe secure website. There the data from the multiple sites would beloaded into special software that would analyze, measure and manipulatethe data to determine any correlations or patterns that the datasuggested. Continual monitoring, data collection and central dataanalysis from multiple ecosystems provides a tool for scientists tobetter understand the relationships among the ecosystems and how changesat one impacts other areas and the mobility to move from one site toanother to monitor impact where the combination of ground and aerialdata acquisition means such as cameras, listening devices and weathermonitoring instruments provide insufficient perspective of the ecosystemwithin the footprint of the lighter-than-air platform.

[0041] The system and method of the invention also provides for certainspecific applications not previously possible. By placing a non invasivecollar on one of the animals in a given herd or animal group the entireherd or animal group can be tracked from the lighter-than-air platformfor tracking along migratory routes since as a rule, the subjects movein herds or groups. The target animal can be tranquilized, and a collarplaced upon it as is often currently done by various scientists andresearchers. The collar sends out a signal which can be picked up by thepayload sensors onboard the LTA platform and the system will command thevarious video, audio and data collection devices to record the herd oranimal group that is being tracked.

[0042] For specific applications, the LTA platform can be outfitted withspecific payloads that can collect data and send it back to the centralwebsite on:

[0043] High-resolution images, either close up or panoramic views of therain forest canopy, deforested areas, areas being cut, streams,vegetation, animal herd migration, or natural disasters in a given area.

[0044] Measurement of both air and water pollution and the health ofvegetation and biomass production.

[0045] Environmental impact studies

[0046] Analysis of rock and mineral formations in remote areas foridentifying natural resources

[0047] Monitoring crude oil pipelines for leaks and environmentaldamage.

[0048] The method and system of the invention can also link subscribersinto action groups for protecting and possibly purchasing critical landareas from either private or public owners. The purchase of property inor around critical habitat areas and the placing of the property sopurchased in an appropriate trust in order to protect said propertycould be an effective way to help mitigate destruction of the subjectareas.

[0049] No known prior art system exists in which video and otherrelevant data of a remote property in and around a critical ecosystem orhabitat is made available on the internet for possible protection orpurchase by a group of subscribers that have been brought together onthe master website. This application of the invention would serve tolink individuals, corporate sponsor(s) and an environmental group(s) toform a virtual network of subscribers united in interest to study,preserve and protect the subject of the environmental study. Thisnetwork would unify a group to promote dialog with the host country ofthe ecosystem, habitat or animal group, to government agencies and tointernational organizations in order to affect policy or create concernfor the endangered ecosystem, habitat or animal group.

[0050] The system and method of the invention provides a 24-hours perday, 7-days per week real-time link between everything that is happeningwithin a given ecosystem, habitat or animal group and subscribers andinterested parties anywhere on the globe. For example, children will beable to watch the birth of lion cubs and view them daily as they grow toadulthood, all without human intervention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0051] The objects and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent to those skilled in the art from the following Description ofthe Preferred Embodiment in relation to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

[0052]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the novel internet linkedenvironmental system and method in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the invention;

[0053]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the earth illustrating an ecosystemand the remote control of a novel lighter-than-air platform formonitoring the environment in accordance with the invention;

[0054]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view partially exploded illustrating thecomponents of a novel lighter-than-air platform for providing data forthe internet linked environmental system and method of the invention;

[0055]FIG. 4 is a perspective view partly in section illustratingelectronic control components and data acquisition components in aninstrument housing;

[0056]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view illustrating the novellighter-than-air platform with a detachable anchor means in the form ofa snorkel;

[0057]FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the novel snorkel assembly inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0058]FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the novel airship snorkel takenalong the lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

[0059]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the novel airship snorkel takenalong the lines 8-8 of FIG. 6;

[0060]FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of thenovel airship snorkel;

[0061]FIG. 10 is sectional view of the best mode of a novel airshipsnorkel in accordance with the invention;

[0062]FIG. 11 is a front view of a spool assembly for deploying andretracting the novel flexible snorkel;

[0063]FIG. 12 and 12A are side elevational views of the novellighter-than-air platform illustrating the operation of the novelairship snorkel of FIG. 10;

[0064]FIG. 13 is a side view of a remotely controlled non-tetheringunderwater camera on the novel lighter-than-air platform;

[0065]FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 13;

[0066]FIG. 15 is a side view of the activation of the recovery systemfor the remotely controlled non-tethering camera of FIG. 13;

[0067]FIG. 16 is a side view of the recovery system for the remotelycontrolled non-tethering camera of FIG. 13;

[0068]FIG. 17 is a side view illustrating the recovery position of theremotely controlled non-tethering camera of FIG. 13;

[0069]FIG. 18 is an underwater perspective view of a novel airship witha remotely controlled non-tethering camera mounted to the novel airshipsnorkel;

[0070]FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the novel lighter-than-airplatform in a protected mooring position utilizing the novel airshipsnorkel;

[0071]FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of the novel lighter-than-airplatform with a detachable anchor means in the form of a breakaway landanchor;

[0072]FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the breakaway portion of the landanchor of FIG. 20;

[0073]FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic illustration of the components of thenovel system and method of the invention;

[0074]FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic illustration of the components of thelocal station component of the invention;

[0075]FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic illustration of the components of themaster control station of the invention;

[0076]FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a local station constructed inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0077]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a master control stationconstructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0078]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a subscriber interface to thesystem and method of the invention; and

[0079]FIG. 28 A, B and C is a diagrammatic illustration of a data flowdiagram in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0080] The novel invention provides a stationary observation platformthat is remotely controlled and can be moved at will which provides avideo image with audio, environmental and scientific data collection anddistribution system that links any ecosystem, habitat or animal group tosubscribers anywhere in the world who wish to observe, monitor, study orprotect the ecosystem, habitat or animal group of interest. Subscriberscan access the video images, audio and data from a secure web site viathe Internet after registering and entering a password that allowsaccess. The novel method of the invention employs in the preferredembodiment a remotely controlled novel lighter-than-air platform orairship having a novel airship snorkel, novel anti-tethering cables anddata acquisition means for preventing damage to the airship andproviding for secure mooring in water in times of severe weather byutilizing one of the detachable securing means which is the novelairship snorkel.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 1, the invention in its preferred embodimentutilizes an airship or Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) platform 30 due to itsability to silently hover over a site under study and its ability tomove and track migrating animals and provide a platform for a dataacquisition means to acquire data simultaneously from the surface of theearth 32 which may be either the ground 34 or at or below the surface ofthe ocean or water 36 (FIG. 5). As used herein the term lighter-than-airplatform is used to describe an airship in which all or a substantialportion of the lift is provided by a lifting gas such as helium orhydrogen and as such includes hybrid aircraft in which the lift of theairship is supplemented by airfoils and/or engines. The airship 30preferably employs an electrical engine 38 and two auxiliary electricalengines 40 and 42 (FIG. 2) which may be mounted on an airfoil stabilizer44. Airship 30 also preferably includes a solar cell panel 46 forproviding electrical power as well as batteries 48 in an electricalpower supply compartment 50 (FIG. 3, 4).

[0082] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 airship 30 includes data acquisitionmeans such as cameras and listening devices for acquiring data from astudied subject which data is preferably transmitted by atelecommunications link 52 to a local station 54. Local station 54telemetry command and control link 56 (TT&C) is connected to airship 30for remotely controlling the novel airship 30. Where remote control ofairship 30 by local station 54 is not possible due to political problemsairship 30 includes a satellite communications link 58 for communicationand control through a satellite 60 from a remote master control station62. Alternatively communication and control of airship 30 and thetransfer of data from local station 54 may be accomplished through asatellite link 64 or through a terrestrial link 66. Data from the mastercontrol station in the preferred embodiment of the invention istransmitted by the master control station 62 through the internet 70 toa computer 72 through a subscriber internet interface 74.

[0083] Local station 54 may be either a fixed ground station, a mobileground station or an airborne station for controlling lighter-than-airaircraft 30. Local station 54 is preferably in the vicinity of aircraft30 for obtaining data on local weather conditions to provide a moreeffective control of aircraft as will be discussed hereinafter ingreater detail. Master control station 62 is preferably disposed on theground near a large city or area close to a number of subscribers.Master control station 62 may also be a mobile station.

[0084] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 airship 30 is deployed in anenvironmental area of study which may be terrestrial and include anytype of animal or ecosystem or may be water or ocean based and mayinclude any type of reef or aquatic life utilizing the novel method andsystem of the invention. Airship 30 preferably operates silentlyemploying electric engines and may include camouflaged exterior areas 76to blend into the environment or ecosystem under study. Airship 30 canbe maintained in a hovering constantly flying condition over an area 78to observe wildlife from one or more pilot cameras 80 disposed in apayload housing 82. Cameras 82 are designed to provide aerial data fornot only remotely controlling airship 30 but also for providing data fortransmission of visual images of the environment from an aerialperspective.

[0085] Ground observations and data is provided by a remote controlledcamera 84 that is deployable from payload housing 82. Payload housing 82is preferably a watertight compartment when camera 84 is retracted bycamera winch 86 by cable 87 into housing 82 and a detachable securingmeans in the form of a breakaway ground anchor 88 is retracted inhousing 82 for reasons that will be discussed hereinafter in greaterdetail. A further detachable securing means in the form of a novelairship snorkel 90 having a water pump 92 for pumping water into snorkel90 to provide for the detachable securement of airship 30 above water 36is achieved in area 94 (FIG. 2) by controlling the volume of waterpumped into snorkel 90.

[0086] Novel airship snorkel 90 not only provides one means fordetachable securement of airship over water 36 but is also employed aspart of the buoyancy control system 96 in the preferred embodiment ofthe invention to not only operate pump 92 to fill snorkel 90 and lowernovel airship 30 but also to operate pump 98 to transfer water fromsnorkel 90 and into water ballonet 100 (FIG. 3). Water ballonet 100 incombination with snorkel 90 further allows novel airship 30 to besecurely moored in water 36 in area 102 by flooding water ballonet 100as illustrated in FIG. 2 and 19. The secure mooring of novel airship 30in water 36 can be utilized where severe thunderstorms or weather wouldthreaten to blow airship 30 away or risk damage to smashing the airshipinto the ground.

[0087] On site weather information of projected temperature, barometricpressure and projected severe weather are obtained from a dataacquisition means in the form of a multi spectral sensor unit 104 whichnot only receives data from the one or more aerial cameras 80 which arereceived by the video camera unit 106 and transmitted by transceivers108 through antennae 110 to the local station to make flight decisionsas to the operation of airship 30.

[0088] In normal operation novel airship 30 acquires data in the form oftemperature, barometric pressure, wind conditions and on site weatherobservations which are compared to projected temperature, barometricpressure, wind conditions and projected temperature at the local station54 to determine how much water should be transferred to water ballonet100 for the buoyancy control system to effectively operate at theminimum power output needed for the day to operate electrical engines38, 40 and 42.

[0089] For example, if the high temperature of the day is 60° F. and thecoolest temperature is 40° F. little or no water may be needed tocounteract the heating and resultant increase in lift in the lift gas.On the other hand, where the projected high temperature is 110° F. andthe low temperature is 60° F., much more water may be taken intoballonet 100 so the airship takes off heavy but the total energyrequired to maintain the airship in position 78 (FIG. 2) during the dayis less since the increase in lift resulting from heating is compensatedby the additional volume of water. Thereafter as the heat of the daysubsides and the lift gas cools, water is discharged from the novelairship. In this manner the detachable anchor means in the form of asnorkel controls the positive buoyancy to maintain the lighter-than-airaircraft at a predetermined maximum altitude and the ballast ballonetcontrols the negative buoyancy at a predetermined minimum altitude. Thenovel airship is designed to maintain a stationary position utilizingbuoyancy control and engines 38, 40 and 42 with the breakaway groundanchor used only in no wind conditions. The operation of detachableanchor means in the form of breakaway ground anchor will be describedhereinafter in greater detail.

[0090] Novel airship 30 with the novel airship snorkel 90 may be mannedor unmanned. Novel airship 30 in its preferred embodiment is unmannedand is remotely controlled by local station 54 and includes a radiocontrolled flight control system 112. Radio controlled flight system maybe obtained from various sources including Bosch Aerospace ofHuntsville, Ala. which employs radio controlled flight control systemsfor unmanned airships utilizing gasoline engines operating at higheraltitudes. A propulsion system 114 is provided for maneuvering novelairship 30 using electrical engine 38, 40 or 42 which receivesinstructions through transceiver 108. A security system 116 is providedto protect novel airship 30 as well as the environment being studiedfrom poachers or human tampering. The security system 116 includeswarning signals at local station 54 as well as alerting local officialsthrough a ground link 118 of unauthorized entry as well as alertingsubscribers through the internet and transmitting video of violationsthrough a satellite link. A crash alarm 120 (FIG. 4) provides immediateinformation as to the flight status of the novel airship 30.

[0091] Referring now to FIG. 2 the novel airship 30 provides data and atelecommunications station in the form of a local station 54 or mastercontrol station 62 can store data to identify patterns of an ecosystemfrom both an aerial perspective and a ground perspective. From an aerialperspective airship 30 obtains data as to migratory or daily paths takenby animals such as old cheetah path 122 from trees 124 to a source ofwater 36. Lion path 126 from rock area 128 may also be observed andtheir relationship mapped. As is known from studies lions will killcheetahs and particularly their young since both cats compete for thesame food.

[0092] The existence or planned existence of a new road 130 across oldcheetah path 122 may force a new cheetah path 132 to trees 136 which dueto proximity to rock area 128 may result in the loss of a cheetahpopulation in the area. These relationships can not only be studied butsteps can be taken to change roads or move animals to new ecosystems topreserve dwindling endangered species.

[0093] Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 12 the novel airship 30 and novelairship snorkel is illustrated in greater detail in which batteries 48,crash alarm 120, radio controlled flight system 112, antennae 113 andother electrical components are placed in instrument housing 134.Housing 136 is designed to accommodate retractable snorkel 90, spool 138and a water ballonet 140. Snorkel 90 is preferably mounted in alignmentwith the axis running through the center of lift as represented by line142 so that novel airship 30 is free to weathervane around line 142 asrepresented by arrow 144. In view of the fact novel airship 30 isdesigned to weathervane around line 142 it is rare to have both snorkel90 deployed and camera 84 deployed as illustrated in FIG. 2 sinceweathervaning with snorkel 90 and camera 84 could result in a winding ofthe two cables. Only on calm days or under constant monitoring is itfeasible to deploy two cables. As a result in most occasions camera 80is utilized to take ground video and audio data. Alternatively camera 84may be deployed and snorkel retracted while the airship hovers over thearea by the operation of electrical engine 38.

[0094] The novel airship and novel snorkel are designed to operate in avariety of different environmental systems. The novel airship and novelsnorkel arrangement are not only adapted for the study of terrestrialenvironments but also aquatic environments including marine studies ofreefs and marine life. Snorkel 90 includes a pump 92 for providing adetachable securing means to the ocean with an underwater cameraavailable to not only provide audio and visual data as to the oceanenvironment but also to provide data as to the depth and position ofsnorkel 90 in relation to debris in the water. As heretofore discussedthe novel airship is not a tethered airship since tethering has beenfound to result in loss and destruction of the airship particularly whenunpredictable winds blow the airship into objects such as rocks ortrees. It is believed that uncontrolled contact between the airship andthe surface of the water might not result in loss of the airship sincethe water generally does not contain trees, rocks or other sharp objectsthat would tear the skin of the airship. As a result all detachablesecuring means that contact land surfaces are designed to function asbreakaway components as will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

[0095] The novel retractable airship snorkel 90 carried on spool 138 isdeployed and retracted by motor 146. Pump 92 is disposed on end 148 ofretractable airship snorkel 90 and end 150 is attached by coupling to aswivel fitting 154 to conduit 153 which is connected to water ballonet100 in airship 30 or to water ballonet 140 disposed in housing 136.Snorkel 90 is preferably of a flat configuration to assist in rollingsnorkel 90 on spool 138. Snorkel 90 may be a rubber or elastomeric hosesuch as a fire supply hose of varying diameters as may be obtained fromAngus Inc. of Angier, N.C. Preferably snorkel 90 is composed of hypalonor other hydrophobic elastomeric material that does not becomewaterlogged and includes reinforcing ribs 155 that assist in changingthe configuration of snorkel 90 from a flat to a round configurationwhen water 36 is pumped into snorkel 90 by pump 92. Alternatively around rubber or elastomeric hose composed of a hydrophobic material canbe utilized for a snorkel 90 as illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0096] In the best mode snorkel 90 includes a flexible snorkel 156within snorkel 90 (FIG. 10). The snorkel within a snorkel allows thedetachable anchoring means and snorkeling of water aboard the airship tobe more precisely controlled. As illustrated in FIG. 12 snorkel 90together with pump 92 controls the level of column of water 158 insnorkel 90 which controls the altitude of novel airship 30 above thesurface of water 136. Water 160 is then pumped into water ballonet 100or 140 (140 shown in FIG. 12) for buoyancy control as heretoforedescribed. As more water 156 is pumped into ballonet 140 and the weightof airship increases the level of column of water 158 in snorkel 90decreases to decrease the weight of the airship to maintain novelairship 30 at the same height above the surface of water 36.

[0097] Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 theanti-tethering camera is illustrated. Tethering of novel airship 30 canresult in the aircraft crashing due to the combination of closeproximity to the ground and unexpected action of the wind together witha tether that causes the airship to act like a kite. As a result bothland camera 84 (FIG. 4) and underwater camera 144 which may be mountedon snorkel 90 or on a separate cable 162 are designed to provideanti-tethering features. The anti-tethering feature includes a breakawaycoupling 164 which is designed to separate into a male 166 and female168 portion when tension on cable 162 reaches a predetermined level. Theanti-tethering breakaway coupling 164 is also designed to separate oncommand from novel airship 30 by an electrical pulse 170 transmitteddown cable 162 when the data acquisition means such as aerial cameras 80provide visual images demonstrating the airship may contact the ground.The basic difference between land camera 84 and underwater camera 144 isthat underwater camera 144 includes a water recovery system.

[0098] More particularly the underwater recovery system for underwatercamera 144 includes a recovery capsule 172 which opens (FIG. 15) uponseparation of breakaway coupling 164 to release a balloon 174 which isinflated by cartridge 176 (FIG. 16) to inflate balloon 174 and allow therecovery of camera 144 on the surface of water 36 (FIG. 17). Camera 144may be removably attached to snorkel 90 (FIG. 18) or be mounted inhousing 132 and deployed by a winch 178 (FIG. 130. Where substantiallystationary underwater studies of reefs or aquatic life is involvedcamera 144 on snorkel 90 provides both buoyancy control and a detachablesecuring means. Where dolphins, whales or other constantly movingaquatic life is studied camera 144 on cable 162 (FIG. 13) may beemployed to allow tracking of aquatic wildlife without the drag inducedby snorkel 90.

[0099] Snorkel 90 is also designed to provide a securing mooring ofnovel airship 30 in water 36 in severe storms by allowing the floodingof ballonet 100 or 140 (FIG. 19). Where novel airship 30 is deployed insevere weather environments the use of ballonet 100 is preferred overballonet 140 since the ballonet 100 provides a lower center of gravityallowing more of novel airship to be moored and more securely attachedto the surface of water 36.

[0100] Referring now to FIG. 20 and 21 an anti-tethering detachablesecuring means is illustrated for attachment to ground 34 in the form ofan anchor 180. Anchor 180 is preferably composed of a bioerodableplastic material and is designed to be repeatedly deployed and retractedfrom housing 136 by winch 180. However, in cases where severe or suddenweather conditions or entanglement of anchor 88 on the ground 34 occurs,a breakaway device 182 is provided to prevent airship crashing into anobject on the ground such as tree 184 where engines 38, 40 and 42 areunable to control the crash of airship 30 as determined in local station54 from data inputs from aerial cameras 80.

[0101] The breakaway device 182 for anchor 88 is similar to thebreakaway devices for camera 144 in function and operation. However,since anchor 88 is also intended like snorkel 90 to provide a detachablesecurement means for controlling the positive buoyancy of airship 30 ata predetermined maximum altitude, the amount of force required toseparate male couple 186 from female couple 188 is many times greater.To compensate for the greater force required to separate male couple 186from female couple 188 in cases where the ship is endangered, anelectrical pulse 190 down anchor cable 192 can be utilized to separatecable 192 from anchor 88 to save airship 30.

[0102] The novel airship or LTA platform 30 is designed to circlearound, hover over and continually fly in wind conditions back and forthover the area of interest continuously collecting streaming video imageswith audio, environmental and scientific data and transmitting it to thelocal ground station 54. The LTA platform 30 is preferably an unmannedrobotic remote-controlled airship with an electronic payload providingfor streaming video images with audio, environmental and scientific datacollection devices with the telemetry command and control link 56 withlocal station 54 to provide for the safe operation of novel airship 30as heretofore described.

[0103] The novel airship 30 is in the range of 5 to 50 meters long andcan be any self-propelled aircraft that is lighter than air and includesa remotely activated retractable snorkel that cooperates with a buoyancycontrol system. The design and construction of the novel airshipincludes well known components such as an envelope and an electrical andmechanical control system as are commercially available from numeroussources such as Bosch Aerospace of Huntsville, Ala. The novel airship 30is designed to be non-polluting and quiet as a result of its electricalpower from power supply 50 that may be either batteries or a fuel cellthat can be recharged by solar cells 46 affixed to the novel airship 30.

[0104] The novel airship 30 is equipped with an autonomous flightcontrol system 112 that is connected to the TC&C link 56 with the localground station 54 to provide for the remote operation of novel airship30 by an operator in remote pilot station 194 in local station 54 (FIG.25). The novel airship also includes special components such as quietrunning electrical engines and propellers and novel components such as aretractable snorkel and water ballonet for assisting in the control ofbuoyancy and for use in special operating conditions to provideflexibility and advantages available in the ground based monitoring andhigh altitude monitoring systems of the prior art.

[0105] The TT&C link 56 is an independent Radio Frequency (RF) orMicrowave (MW) bi-directional communications system that connects theflight control system onboard the LTA platform 30 to the remote pilotstation 194 in the local ground station 54 and provides the remotepilots with a real-time broadcast-quality video of the terrain from oneor more pilot's cameras 80 located in the front of payload housing 82.The TT&C data link 56 transmitted by this link from the LTA platform 30consists of a continuous stream of video and flight-related informationsuch as the current altitude, position and speed of the novel airship30, power-related information such as the power remaining in theon-board power supply 50, current charging rate of the solar cell panel46 and power consumption along with the health and operating status ofon-board systems such as flight control and propulsion. The TT&C datatransmitted from the local station 54 consists of an intermittent streamof commands from the ground operators directing the LTA platform 30 to anew position, change altitude, fly a new flight pattern or activate orde-activate cameras 144 or to retract or deploy snorkel 90 take on water36 for buoyancy or deploy anchor 88.

[0106] The novel airship 30 is also equipped with a crash alarm 120 andtransponder device for communicating signals similar to those used incommercial and private aviation, which automatically notifies the localstation 54 if the airship 30 is tampered with or shot from the sky bypoachers. The transponder is battery powered and will automaticallytransmit the coordinates of the airship so that a rescue team can honein on the signal and find the airship and take steps to secure thewildlife under study and capture the intruders.

[0107] The electronic and instrument payload is carried in theinstrument housing 134 on the top of the novel airship and communicateswith cameras 80, 84 and 144 which include one or more high resolution,regular or low-light video cameras with microphones that have pan, tilt,and zoom capabilities and can be fitted with lens turrets that have arange of wide-angle, intermediate and telephoto lenses mounted on them.The data collected by these cameras consists of a continuous stream ofdigital broadcast quality television and audio data preferably in aHigh-Definition TV (HDTV) format. While transmission frequency variesfrom country to country 24 GHz is adequate for high resolution analogvideo.

[0108] Telex, Canon and Sony all make (or market under their name)transmitters for this purpose. A telex receiver has been tested. It is adiversity tuned multi channel receiver with 1 antenna per transmitterand 3 antennae on each receiver. The receiver “votes” on the best signalto noise ratio constantly and will dynamically switch between whicheverantenna is best at the moment. This minimizes the usual dropouts causedby movement of either the transmitter or receiver, which is the resultof a combination of things.

[0109] Dropouts result from but are not limited to short wavelengthatmospheric absorption, multi path signal reception from a singletransmission point and a combination of both resulting in phase angle(time) variations of the signals arrival times at the receiver antenna.This multiple signal arrival causes a “nulling” or adding of the signaldelivered to the feed point of the receiver from the antenna system, thedegree of which is dependant on this phase angle variation. Simulationand prediction of overall signal quality is difficult and is bestevaluated on a site by site basis since an electromagnetic wavepropagated in the atmosphere has many variables affecting the signalarrival times. In general increasing the “line of sight” power levelfrom the transmitter with a confined “beam antenna” having minimal sidelobe emission can minimize but not eliminate these effects. In additionone (or more) directional antennae at the receiver site can be used to“reject” off angle reflections from buildings and natural obstacles.

[0110] The payload carried in instrument housing 134 can also include awide range of multi-spectral sensor units 104 which includeselectro-optical passive and active devices selected and configured tosuit various applications. Passive devices that record emissions fromthe earth's surface or the environment include a variety of scientificand environmental measuring devices such as infrared cameras and weatherinstruments that measure temperature, humidity and barometric pressure.Active devices that transmit a signal and record the echo includesophisticated radio, radar, microwave, infrared, and ultraviolet devicesused for atmospheric and soil analysis, air and soil pollutionmeasurement and terrain mapping. The data transmitted from the LTAplatform 30 consists of both continuous and intermittent streams ofscientific and environmental sensor data in an analog or preferablydigital format.

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 5, 22, 23, 25 and 28A-C the relationshipbetween the local station 54 to control and monitor the operation ofplatform 196 and in the case of novel airship 30 its course, altitude,speed and other flight-related activities as well as monitor the healthand status of the cameras and devices on the platform and implementdirectives from the subscribers internet interface 74. Subscribersreceive data either directly from the local station 54 through imageprocessor 196 which also includes a data storage system 198 or throughan optional master control station 62 as will be described hereinafterin greater detail.

[0112] The local station 54 can be either a fixed structure or a mobilevehicle large enough to house the required personnel and equipment forthe particular application. Preferably it is located anywhere in thevicinity of where the LTA platform 30 is operating, up to a range ofabout 25 to 100 kilometers depending upon terrain conditions, so long asthere is a an unobstructed “line-of-sight” between the LTA platform 30and the local station 54 so the TT&C link 56 between the novel airship30 and the local station 54 can operate properly. Where local station 54is airborne such as through satellite 60 the limitations of terrain areremoved and greater distances between the local station 54 and novelairship 30 are achieved. The local station 54 is configured with theappropriate antennae, transceivers and other equipment necessary tosend, receive and temporarily store selected portions of the TT&C dataand payload control commands.

[0113] Local ground station 54 also includes the appropriate antennae200, transceivers and other equipment necessary to receive image dataand sensor data from the LTA platform 30, buffer, compress and filter itthrough a preprocessor 204 and retransmit it via a satellite link 58(FIG. 1) to subscriber interface 74 and preferably to a master controlstation 62. The local station 54 can either immediately retransmit theimage and sensor data upon receipt or be configured with data storagesystem 198 to convert the data into a more manageable or suitable formatprior to transmission or temporarily store the data for retransmissionat a later date.

[0114] In the preferred embodiment of the invention the local station 54is equipped with a means of communicating with the master controlstation 62 to receive instructions, a means of monitoring the localweather conditions so the operators can navigate the LTA platform 30around storms, high winds and other adverse weather conditions and ameans of communication with local authorities to notify them of anypoachers or other abnormalities the LTA platform may observe. In thepreferred embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 22, 24, 26 and 28A-C theoptional master control station 62 is the communications link between alocal station 54 and an internet subscriber interface 74.

[0115] Master control station 62 is configured with a satellite link 206through antenna 208 and a terrestrial link 210 so that it can receivethe image data and sensor data from each of the LTA platforms 30currently deployed. The master control station 62 includes a dataprocessing and storage system 212 made up of one or more computers,on-line data storage subsystems and a network of workstations for thetechnicians to review, collate, analyze and otherwise process the data.The master control station also includes a processed data distributionsystem 214 that makes the data available to the subscribers via theInternet. The master control station 62 has the facilities to store allof the data collected over time to facilitate research and analysis ofthe data over long periods.

[0116] The video from the airship is delivered to the master controlstation via current technology, multi channel transceivers and istemporarily archived onto digital video tape because of its low cost,lack of complexity and high storage capability. At the same time“special events” (dams breaking, baby seals being killed, poachingactivities, oil spills, etc.) can be simultaneously retransmitted bywhatever “current technology affords at the time”. From an operationalstandpoint however we need to go further in cataloging and archiving thedata both from a video standpoint and a “data” perspective as well. Thiswill enable us to build a local database of information needed to plotweather variations over time and provide time lapse images of interest.Currently this must be done manually.

[0117] The master control station 62 manages the subscribers andfacilitates communication between subscribers and other interestedparties such as local governments and corporate sponsors. The mastercontrol station 62 also receives and processes interactive requests fromsubscribers to observe various ecosystems, habitats or animal groups,evaluates them and instructs the local ground station 54 on where todeploy the LTA platform 30, where to focus the cameras, and what sensorsto activate.

[0118] All of the processing can be completed at the master controlstation 62 in response to the requests of the subscribers so onlycomplete images, streaming video; audio or digital data are sent oruploaded to the subscriber. This approach eliminates the need for thesubscriber to have any special equipment or software to manipulate orprocess the data. While the master control station 62 can be locatedanywhere in the world, it would be more feasible to locate it in or neara major population center in a developed area where an adequateinfrastructure (utilities, communications systems, Internet access,technical work force, etc.) already exists to support it.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 27, the subscriber interface 74 enables thesubscriber to view the image data and sensor data of the particularecosystem, habitat or animal group of interest collected by the LTAplatform 30 in near real time or research data previously collected witha personal computer monitor (PC) 216 equipped with common commerciallyavailable web browsers such as Netscape™ or Microsoft InternetExplorer™, and an Internet connection 218. The subscriber interface 74is simple and easy to use so that special training is not required.Thus, not just specially trained scientists or environmentalists, butanyone including schools and school children with basic computer skillsthat know how to use a common web browser who obtains a subscriber IDand password can become a subscriber and access the data on a real timebasis.

[0120] The subscriber can access, select, sort and view the data indifferent ways. For example, a subscriber can choose to view data theLTA platform 30 is currently collecting near real time or examine datathat was collected earlier. The subscriber can also view video,infrared, radar, ultraviolet or any other type of data the LTA platformis equipped to collect. The different types of images can be viewedseparately such as just video or just infrared or they can be combinedby the computers at the master control station 62 into composite imagessuch as video and infrared or radar and infrared.

[0121] The novel system and method of the invention utilizes a number ofcommunication links to connect the components of the invention togetherand connect the ecosystem, habitat or animal group of interest at oneend of the system to the subscriber at the other end. Thesecommunication links can be configured in different ways depending on theapplication and the areas of operation. In the preferred embodiment ofthe invention, a remote controlled platform provides data through acommunications link with the remote controlled platform and provides asecurity system for protecting the remote controlled platform as well asthe subject of the environmental study.

[0122] The telecommunications link includes an internet link forproviding security to the platform and data provided by the platform. Aground link is established between the platform and the image data andthe sensor data transmitted directly to the telecommunications stationproviding the telecommunications link. Preferably a master controlstation is provided between the telecommunications station and theobservation platform to reduce the amount of equipment required in thetelecommunications station.

[0123] In an alternate embodiment, a suitable broadband terrestrial linkor a combination of terrestrial and satellite links can be used totransmit the data to a master control station in areas where a directsatellite link is unfeasible. In the preferred embodiment, the mastercontrol station is equipped with one or more Internet Servers and is anode on the Internet so that maintains the secure web site and thesubscribers access the data directly at the source instead of through athird party web site.

[0124] In a further alternate embodiment, the LTA platform is configuredwith only a satellite link so the master control station can receivedata and control the LTA platform directly without going through thelocal ground station. This arrangement is particularly advantageouswhere due to unstable political conditions or conditions of guerilla warexist making the existence of a local station dangerous or unfeasible.In such applications the satellite link can be used to control the novelremote controlled airship without endangering lives while at the sametime providing data, information and world pressure to protectendangered species.

[0125] The novel method and system of the invention is susceptible to awide variety of changes and modifications by those skilled in the art.The scope of the invention includes a broad system of novel componentsand subcomponents that may be modified or adapted for use in otherapplications and systems. The novel airship may be readily changed to amanned airship and utilized for purposes other than environmentalmonitoring and remote control utilizing the novel snorkel and snorkelmooring provided by the invention. The novel airship with snorkelassembly may be modified to carry groups of environmentalists andtourists to view reefs utilizing the snorkel and underwater cameraassemblies or the novel airship may be modified as a pleasure craftwhich is moored like a boat when the water ballonet is flooded andoperated as an airship when the water is pumped out of the ballast.

[0126] The novel retractable snorkel assembly may also be modified in avariety of ways to suit particular requirements and more than onesnorkel assembly may be utilized to provide the advantages of theinvention. The detachable securing means in the form of the breakawayanchor may similarly be modified as well as the use and modifications onthe novel anti-tethering cameras.

[0127] The method and system of the invention may also be utilized indifferent environments to study land, water and air environments whileproviding data to scientists and subscribers of the novel system andcomponents.

[0128] These and other such modifications as may be made by thoseskilled in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the appendedclaims.

[0129] As used herein and in the following claims, the word ‘comprising’or ‘comprises’ is used in its technical sense to mean the enumeratedelements include but do not exclude additional elements which may or maynot be specifically included in the dependent claims. It will beunderstood such additions, whether or not included in the dependentclaims, are modifications that both can be made within the scope of theinvention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that awide range of changes and modification can be made to the inventionwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedin the following claims:

What is claimed is:
 1. An environmental monitoring system comprising:(a) a lighter-than-air platform having a data acquisition means and atelecommunications device for transmitting data from said dataacquisition means; (b) a telecommunications station for communicatingwith said telecommunications device and transmitting data received fromsaid data acquisition means to a remote location; and (c) a computer ata remote location from said lighter-than-air platform for viewing datareceived from said telecommunications station.
 2. The environmentalmonitoring system of claim 1 further comprising a detachable securingmeans on said lighter-than-air platform for maintaining saidlighter-than-air platform at a predetermined maximum altitude and areleasable ballast material to maintain said lighter-than-air platformat a predetermined minimum altitude.
 3. The environmental monitoringsystem of claim 2 further comprising a ground proximity system forproviding distance information between the surface of the earth and saidlighter-than-air platform.
 4. The environmental monitoring system ofclaim 3 wherein said detachable securing means is a break away anchorconstructed of a bioerodable plastic material.
 5. The environmentalmonitoring system of claim 3 wherein said ground proximity system is acamera for providing said distance information.
 6. The environmentalmonitoring system of claim 3 wherein said ground proximity system is analtimeter.
 7. The environmental monitoring system of claim 6 whereinsaid altimeter includes means for adjusting said altimeter toaccommodate changes in barometric pressure.
 8. The environmentalmonitoring system of claim 7 wherein said means for adjusting saidaltimeter is remotely controlled.
 9. The environmental monitoring systemof claim 3 wherein said ground proximity system is a radar altimeter.10. The environmental monitoring system of claim 2 wherein saiddetachable securing means is a snorkel and said releasable ballastmaterial is carried in a ballonet on said lighter-than-air platform. 11.The environmental monitoring system of claim 10 further comprising asecond detachable securing means in the form of a breakaway anchormeans.
 12. The environmental monitoring system of claim 11 furthercomprising remotely controlled means for reacquiring said releasableballast material.
 13. The environmental monitoring system of claim 12wherein said means for reacquiring said releasable ballast material is awater pump on said lighter-than-air platform.
 14. The environmentalmonitoring system of claim 10 wherein said releasable ballast materialis animal food.
 15. The environmental monitoring system of claim 2further comprising a second data acquisition means.
 16. Theenvironmental monitoring system of claim 2 further comprising anelectric motor propulsion means.
 17. The environmental monitoring systemof claim 16 further comprising solar cells on said lighter-than-airplatform to provide energy to said electric motor.
 18. The environmentalmonitoring system of claim 15 wherein said second data acquisition meansis a video camera.
 19. The environmental monitoring system of claim 18wherein said second data acquisition means further includes an infraredsensor.
 20. The environmental monitoring system of claim 15 wherein saidsecond data acquisition means includes an audio data device.
 21. Theenvironmental monitoring system of claim 1 wherein saidtelecommunications station remotely controls said lighter-than-airplatform.
 22. The environmental monitoring system of claim 21 whereinsaid telecommunications station is a ground-based station.
 23. Theenvironmental monitoring system of claim 21 wherein saidtelecommunications station is a high-altitude station.
 24. Theenvironmental monitoring system of claim 23 wherein said high altitudestation is a satellite.
 25. The environmental monitoring system of claim1 wherein said telecommunications station is connected to said computerthrough the internet.
 26. The environmental monitoring system of claim 1further comprising a master telecommunications station for communicatingwith said telecommunications station.
 27. The environmental monitoringsystem of claim 26 wherein said master telecommunications station isconnected to the internet.
 28. The environmental monitoring system ofclaim 27 wherein said master telecommunications station includes atelecommunications link to said lighter-than-air platform.
 29. Theenvironmental monitoring system of claim 28 wherein saidtelecommunications link is through a satellite.
 30. An airshipcomprising: (a) a lighter-than-air aircraft; (b) a detachable anchormeans for controlling positive buoyancy to maintain saidlighter-than-air aircraft at a predetermined maximum altitude; (c) aballast ballonet for controlling negative buoyancy to maintain saidlighter-than-air aircraft at a predetermined minimum altitude; (d) aground proximity system for providing distance information between theground and said lighter-than-air aircraft; and (e) a ballast releasemechanism for maintaining said lighter-than-air aircraft in a positionintermediate said predetermined maximum altitude and said predeterminedminimum altitude.
 31. The airship of claim 30 further comprising acommunications device for remotely controlling said lighter-than-airaircraft.
 32. The airship of claim 31 wherein said ballast ballonet is awater ballonet.
 33. The airship of claim 32 wherein said detachableanchor means for controlling positive buoyancy is a snorkel.
 34. Theairship of claim 33 further comprising a second detachable means in theform of a breakaway bioerodable plastic anchor.
 35. The airship of claim34 wherein said snorkel is retractable and is carried on a spool. 36.The airship of claim 33 wherein said ballast release mechanism iscontrolled by a computer.
 37. The airship of claim 33 further comprisinga data acquisition device and a telecommunications device.
 38. Theairship of claim 37 further comprising a telecommunications station forcommunicating with said telecommunications device.
 39. The airship ofclaim 38 further comprising an internet telecommunications link.
 40. Theairship of claim 39 further comprising a master telecommunicationsstation disposed between said telecommunications station and saidinternet telecommunications link.
 41. The airship of claim 40 whereinsaid master telecommunications station includes a telecommunicationslink to said lighter-than-air aircraft.
 42. The airship of claim 33further comprising a water pump disposed at the end of said snorkel. 43.The airship of claim 42 wherein said water pump is disposed at thebottom end of said snorkel.
 44. The airship of claim 42 wherein saidwater pump is disposed at the top end of said snorkel.
 45. The airshipof claim 42 further comprising a second water pump disposed at the otherend of said snorkel.
 46. The airship of claim 42 further comprising anunderwater camera disposed at the bottom end of said snorkel andoperatively connected to a data acquisition device on saidlighter-than-air aircraft.
 47. The airship of claim 46 wherein saidunderwater camera is detachable from said snorkel.
 48. The airship ofclaim 30 further comprising a security system.
 49. The airship of claim48 wherein said security system includes a first warning system forpreventing damage to said lighter-than-air aircraft and a second warningsystem for preventing damage to the ecosystem observed and said firstand second warning system are connected to the internet.
 50. An airshipsnorkel device comprising: (a) a flexible conduit having a first end anda second end; (b) means for extending and retracting said flexibleconduit; and (c) a water pump for pumping a liquid in said flexibleconduit.
 51. The airship snorkel of claim 50 wherein said flexibleconduit is constructed of a hydrophobic material.
 52. The airshipsnorkel of claim 50 wherein said means for extending and retracting saidflexible conduit is a spool.
 53. The airship snorkel of claim 52 whereinsaid first end is connected to a water ballonet and said second end isconnected to said water pump.
 54. The airship snorkel of claim 52wherein said water ballonet is disposed in a lighter-than-air aircraft.55. The airship snorkel of claim 52 wherein said water ballonet isdisposed in an instrument pod.
 56. The airship snorkel of claim 53further comprising a motor for operating said spool.
 57. The airshipsnorkel of claim 52 further comprising a second water pump disposedintermediate said water ballonet and said first end.
 58. The airshipsnorkel of claim 57 wherein said flexible conduit is composed of ahydrophobic material.
 59. The airship snorkel of claim 58 wherein saidhydrophobic material is an elastomeric material.
 60. The airship snorkelof claim 59 wherein said elastomeric material is rubber.
 61. The airshipsnorkel of claim 60 wherein said elastomeric material is hypalon. 62.The airship snorkel of claim 57 further comprising a second flexibleconduit having a first end and a second end disposed inside saidflexible conduit.
 63. The airship snorkel of claim 62 wherein saidsecond water pump is connected to the second end of said flexibleconduit.
 64. The airship snorkel of claim 63 wherein said first end ofsaid flexible conduit and said first end of said second flexible conduitinclude a filter.
 65. The airship snorkel of claim 51 further comprisinga second flexible conduit disposed inside said flexible conduit.
 66. Theairship snorkel of claim 51 further comprising a data acquisition deviceattached to said second end of said flexible conduit.
 67. The airshipsnorkel of claim 51 wherein said data acquisition device is anunderwater camera and hydrophone combination.
 68. The airship snorkel ofclaim 51 wherein said flexible conduit and said means for extending andretracting said flexible conduit are housed in a housing.
 69. Theairship snorkel of claim 68 wherein said housing includes a waterballonet connected to said first end of said flexible conduit.
 70. Amethod of monitoring an environment comprising: (a) establishing aremote-controlled observation platform for providing data; (b) utilizinga communications link to control said remote-controlled observationplatform; (c) providing a security system to protect saidremote-controlled observation platform and the subject of studyproviding said data; (d) utilizing a telecommunications link connectedto the internet to assist in providing said security system; and (e)establishing a ground station link between said remote-controlledobservation platform and said telecommunications link connected to saidinternet.
 71. The method of claim 70 further comprising the step ofcreating an internet interest group in protecting said subject of study.72. The method of claim 71 further comprising the step of providing amap and position data of said subject of study to said internet interestgroup.
 73. The method of claim 70 further comprising the step ofproviding a master ground station between said ground station and saidtelecommunications link connected to the internet.
 74. The method ofclaim 70 wherein said master ground station includes means forprocessing said data.
 75. The method of claim 70 wherein saidremote-controlled observation platform is a lighter-than-air aircraft.76. The method of claim 70 wherein said lighter-than-air aircraft isremotely controlled by said ground station.
 77. The method of claim 76wherein said lighter-than-air aircraft includes a remotely-controlledcamera.
 78. The method of claim 77 further comprising a master groundstation between said ground station and said internet.
 79. The method ofclaim 78 wherein said master ground station includes a bidirectionalcommunications link with members of an internet interest group.
 80. Themethod of claim 79 wherein members of said internet interest group incombination with said master ground station periodically control saidremotely controlled camera.